METZ Releases Sophomore Album
Post-punk trio METZ has released its second effort, II, which the band describes as a “heavier, darker, and sloppier” album than its debut. The band, with Chris Slorach on bass, wrote the record over the course of about six months and recorded II in three different Canadian studios. The trio have created a loud, intense sound. Check it out on...
Hiatus Kaiyote Offers Up Progressive Soul
Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote’s latest album Choose Your Weapon, is a 70-minute monster. Bassist Paul Bender calls it “huge, massive, complex puzzle,” according to The Guardian. The band’s sound has been described as “future soul” and progressive. It’s pretty singular. Check out “Breathing Underwater” from Choose Your Weapon: Choose Your Weapon is , and as a digital download ( and...
Miles Mosley and Thundercat Get Epic on Kamasi Washington’s New Album
Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington pulled in not one, but two top-notch bassists for his latest, The Epic. Miles Mosley (Jeff Beck, Joni Mitchell, Common) handles acoustic bass on the record and Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, ex-Suicidal Tendencies) is on electric in the 10-piece-jazz band assembled by Washington. The album lives up to its name, too: the music...
Book Teaches Plectrum Playing, for All Ability Levels
Just about everything you need to know about playing bass with a pick is covered in Stuart Clayton’s Plectrum Techniques for Bass Guitar. The book, with 201 exercises, can be used by every player — from beginner to advanced. The book also includes four study pieces. All are supported by downloadable audio. Chapters cover triplets, as well as rock, metal,...
D’Angelo’s “Voodoo” Gets 15th Anniversary Vinyl Release
D’Angelo’s Voodoo was a delight for bass/soul fans, offering up grooves from star session player Pino Palladino. Inspired by old-school soul and R&B, the 2000 record is now considered a classic, and it’s getting the kind of treatment a classic deserves — a reissue on heavyweight white vinyl. The reissue has appeared as D’Angelo prepares to hit the road to...
Jethro Tull Releases 40th Anniversary Edition of “Minstrel in the Gallery”
Jeffrey Hammond’s last album as a bassist, Jethro Tull’s Minstrel in the Gallery, has been reissued in a 40th anniversary edition. The two-CD/two-DVD 40th Anniversary La Grande Edition includes the original 1975 album, expanded to feature the b-side “Summerday Sands,” outtakes and alternate session material on one disc. The second disc is a live recording of a show at the...
Jeff Beck’s “Live+” Features Rhonda Smith
Jeff Beck’s latest live album Live+, features performances from the legendary guitarist’s 2014 tour, with Rhonda Smith (also known for her time in Prince’s band) on bass. Two new studio tracks — “Tribal” and “My Tiled White Floor” round out the collection. The album, recorded at a variety of venues, features favorites like “Big Block,” as well as Beck’s covers...
Zac Brown Band Releases “Jekyll + Hyde”
The latest studio album from the Zac Brown Band, Jekyll + Hyde, lives up to its literary name, promising a variety of emotional states. Featuring dedicated bassist Matt Mangano, the album not only includes the country/rock crossover hit “Homegrown,” but also the Jason Isbell-penned “Dress Blues” about fallen soldiers, a collaboration with Sara Bareilles, and “Heavy Is the Head,” featuring...
Blur Returns With First Studio Album in a Dozen Years
Blur has released its first album in 16 years as a four-piece outfit and its first studio record since 2003 for the three-piece version of the British band. The Magic Whip features bassist, farmer and farming columnist Alex James, drummer Dave Rowntree, vocalist Damon Albarn and guitarist Graham Coxon. The music for the album began life while the band was...
Two Dead Shows Added, All Five Shows Set for Broadcast
The remaining members of The Grateful Dead have added two dates to its roster of “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead” shows. The two new shows, which preceded the three previously announced July 3-5 shows in Chicago, are nods to the very beginnings of The Dead’s career, just as the Chicago shows are a reminder of the...
Bob Gingery Releases Debut Album
Bassist/composer Bob Gingery has released his debut record, Traveler, with his longtime band. Jazz anchors Gingery’s work, but elements of rock, blues, and folk and modern harmonies can be heard on the record featuring his band: Jon Irabagon on saxophones (winner of 2008 Thelonious Monk competition), Mike Baggetta on guitar and Mark Ferber on drums. “Most of the improvisation on...
Ben Williams Comes of Age on Second Album
Jazz bassist Ben Williams’ second album, Coming of Age, explores the musical and emotional growth of Williams, who won the 2009 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition. The album not only includes his own work, but also a cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Here’s the album’s opening track, “Black Villain Music”: Coming of Age is available on ,...